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Roger Dunn, leading golf retailer, officially opened for business at its newest location, Newport Beach Golf Course, on Friday. Store manager Christy Xavier estimated 10 customers strolled through the doors to gaze at the merchandise, which is still funneling into the 3,300 square-foot shop, formerly occupied by John Leonard, the course's director of instruction. As of Wednesday, Xavier said the store held about 60% of its inventory, which includes everything from clubs to balls to clothing.

Richard Dunn For those hoping to catch a more frequent glimpse of two-time Costa Mesa city champion Bryan Saltus, The Golf Channel will provide it this summer in its coverage of the Canadian Tour. Saltus, a Newport Harbor High product, qualified for the Canadian Tour with a 7-under total in five rounds, finishing tied for fifth out of 140 players at Kamloops, British Columbia. Saltus, 30, has caught fire in 2001, winning the San Francisco Open and a $20,000 first-place check in early May, after taking third at the Tommy Bahama Newport Beach Open in April at Newport Beach Country Club.

Bryce Alderton Some wait their whole lives for a break. For Newport Beach resident Danielle Aimee, another opportunity to play on the LPGA Tour came calling at age 28, this time because of a television show. The name, fittingly, is "Big Break III: Ladies Only." The show, which features 10 women -- the first time the series has included an all-female cast -- who compete against one another in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness, will air on the Golf Channel beginning Feb. 8. The grand-prize winner will receive entry into select LPGA tournaments, including the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill, May 5-8, and the LPGA Corning Classic, May 26-29.

BRYCE ALDERTON This is the best time of year for golf in Southern California. While residents in other parts of the country need to put three layers of clothes on before going outside to shovel the snow from their driveways, we walk into 70-degree, sunny weather that occasionally requires a windbreaker to keep warm. The sun is mellower in February than it is in June and the golf courses seem to benefit. At no other time are they as bright green as they are now. I guess all that rain has sparked new growth.

Tickets are now on sale for the Toshiba Classic, which turns 20 this year. The 20th Toshiba Classic tees off March 10 through 16 at Newport Beach Country Club. A new 20th Toshiba Classic logo has been unveiled to commemorate 20 years as a leading stop on the Champions Tour and its charitable commitment to the Orange County community. The popular golf tournament has produced several memorable moments. It has also been one of the favorite events on the Champions Tour, as the players and spectators enjoy the area.

RICHARD DUNN The question of whether Jack Nicklaus would return to the Toshiba Senior Classic at Newport Beach Country Club if he won the tournament was answered before he teed off in the first round Friday. Yes, he would. The question as to whether he reads, or is even remotely interested, in the Daily Pilot was answered Saturday morning over breakfast. As Nicklaus sipped his orange juice and tasted his warm toast with coffee nearby, he almost choked and "just about fell over in my chair" when he read the infamous quote that he "played Arnie golf" in the first round, when it should have read, "army golf."

Richard Dunn NEWPORT BEACH - People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan, or so says the world's financial planners and investment bankers. While Vinnie Brascia of Newport Beach Country Club might adhere to the aforementioned proverb, it's unlikely you'll see him tinkering with a plan to change his golf game. "I never practice," said Brascia, who won his first Newport Beach men's club championship in early June, shooting 73-76-72--221 in the 54-hole stroke-play championship.

Tony Dodero The kickoff to a week's worth of Toshiba tournament festivities began with the customary early Tuesday morning breakfast of eggs, potatoes and lots of coffee. The Toshiba Senior Classic Champions Breakfast at the Newport Beach Marriott, to be precise. The 400 or so guests at the hotel ballroom, who ran the gamut from city officials to amateur golf aficionados, were treated to an animated panel discussion featuring golfing legends Fuzzy Zoeller and Chi Chi Rodriguez and last year's Toshiba Classic victor, Rodger Davis of Australia.

Richard Dunn COSTA MESA - When 13-year-old Billy Olsen gets together with his usual Saturday morning playing partners at Costa Mesa Golf & Country Club, the skins are worth but a shoulder to burden the load. Olsen, you see, plays with the big boys on the Los Lagos course and is too young to put up any dough. So, while those in his foursome play for skins, the result is not monetary, but to carry one's golf bag for as many holes as it takes. Ned Bondie of Costa Mesa, a longtime Los Lagos player who operates a small, close-knit "mini tour" called the Dukie Tour, has been playing with Olsen for 1 1/2 years.

Named Rhodesian Sportsman of the Year in 1975. Twice represented South Africa in World Series of Golf (1980 and 1982). Did several instructional segments on "The Golf Channel Academy" with good friend David Leadbetter...Favorite actor is Sean Connery...Favorite book is Golf in the Kingdom...Lists the birth of all his children as his biggest thrills outside of golf...Started playing golf at age 14 when his dad took him to play...Served two years in the Rhodesian Army...Has also worked as an insurance relief officer and as an assistant professional/instructor.